Acne Supplements That Actually Work
By now you might be aware of my past struggles with acne and breakouts. Not long ago, it seemed that any little thing would exacerbate my skin and spur on an acne breakout. I had been on antibiotics for years in an attempt to clear it up, and every time I tried to come off antibiotics, I would ultimately have to start them again. This perpetual on-off cycle went on for years until I decided enough was enough and took matters into my own hands. I became rigorous about my skincare, makeup removal, and tried to cut down on the junk I was putting into my system day in and day out. I was aware of the damage that years of antibiotics and other drugs had wreaked on my digestive system. Determined to find a solution, I began research. I tried many acne supplements in the process.
In spite of the hundreds I would shell out for a consultation with a dermatologist, they would barely spare five minutes listening to my story before pulling out the prescription pad and prescribing months’ worth of topical and oral antibiotics – neither of which actually eliminated the issue. All it left me with was a weakened skin barrier, impaired gut function, food allergies as a result, and an indefinite prescription of pills. My hormones were not out of balance, but my dermatologist continued to push birth control pills for my skin. There is a strong dichotomy between what conventional medicine says is the solution for acne (or lack thereof) and what a more functional medicine approach would lead one to believe.
You are what you eat?
For years I had convinced myself that my frankly poor diet consisting of endless servings of high sugar cereals, milk (despite my lifetime of lactose intolerance) crackers, addiction to anything wheat and processed junk had nothing to do with the breakouts on my face. After all, my dermatologist had not rebuked or even mentioned the possibility that my high sugar diet had anything to do with my breakouts or inflammation. It was not until I confronted the fact that my poor dietary habits and aversion for fresh food were major contributors to the state of my skin, that I finally got a hold of my breakouts. What a concept.
Although this may sound pretty obvious, keep in mind that the same foods that caused me to break out will not be the same foods that cause you issues. There are people for whom processed foods or dairy are not the culprit, as much as certain nightshade vegetables, or even some other seemingly healthful options. What is healthful for one person does not directly reflect as being healthful for another.
Imbalances inside, show up outside
There are countless micronutrient and hormonal imbalances that lead to breakouts and thus countless options to treat your breakouts. We are all deeply individual, with different lifestyles, different genetics and microbiome states. We are so individual that the current state of your own microbiome and inner flora could be completely different now to what it will look like in three months’ time. In this post I will be telling you about supplements that I have personally had success with for treating my breakouts.
Keep in mind, you may not have the same issues I had, and your inner flora are going to be vastly different to mine. However, I hope this gives you a little hope as to the options you have at your disposal before going too crazy with the medications. (Please note that, particularly if you suffer with severe cystic acne, your best option would be to consult a medical professional. It may be better to get your skin under control first and using the supplements I am mentioning as skin maintenance, in order to prevent it from worsening anymore and potentially causing lifelong scars and marks.)
Herbal Extracts
Let me preface by emphasising that I by no means shun conventional medicine. We need only look at the advances we have made in medicine over the past century, and the lives saved, to recognise its potency and necessity. However, what concerns me is the fact that antibiotics and the like are now being prescribed as a cure-all for smaller ailments that could often otherwise be managed with less disruptive therapies.
In my quest to find alternative solutions, I came across the wondrous world of herbal remedies. Up until this point I had assumed “natural” or herbal supplements were all frankly a bunch of ludicrous contrivances. After all, science had progressed far beyond the natural remedies of our ancestors. What I had failed to realise was that much of conventional medicine today is manufactured upon managing pretty severe or debilitating ailments.
Steroids, antibiotics, NSAIDs – they are great when dealing with crippling illness, infections, surgeries. However, to depend upon such medications for a little cough, mild cramps, or even spots, can actually be more damaging than beneficial. Conventional medicine is predicated upon the treatment of symptoms. It never truly targets the root of the ailment or the cause of disease.
Burdock Root
There are a few herbal remedies that caught my attention as potential acne supplements.
- Burdock root has blood purifying properties and has been found to elicit detoxification of heavy metals from the blood. By improving blood circulation, it promotes skin health.
- As a natural diuretic, it helps remove waste which assists in the expulsion of toxins from the body.
- It also improves detoxification and drainage of the lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage is critical for immunity and overall wellness.
- Burdock can greatly help inflammatory conditions like acne, and even eczema and psoriasis, by quelling that inflammation of the skin.
Blue Flag
Both burdock and blue flag are herbal extracts that essentially work by clearing the body of toxins. They calm the inflammation that leads to skin problems.
- Blue flag aids the skin by purifying the blood as it works through the liver, the body’s main detoxification organ.
- Cleanses, decongests and removes waste products associated with poor skin health.
- Influences the glandular system, lymphatic, intestinal glands, liver and gal ducts.
- Believed to counteract the effects of fatty food or alcohol on the skin.
- Combines well with burdock root to treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and acne.
These extracts should be used in therapeutic doses and neither of these herbs should be taken raw. I stumbled upon these tablets with both blue flag and burdock root. It contains an optimal dosage of both herbs too.
Let me tell you, these acne supplements are a game changer for breakouts. I typically take these tablets around meals, in order to combat the effect of the blood sugar spike. I feel as though it helps reduce potential inflammation I might get as a result of my (sometimes questionable) dietary choices.
If you experience pesky spots, blemishes or even mild eczema, I highly recommend you give these tablets a shot.
This is where I purchase Clear Complexion Tablets.
Zinc
(but not just any zinc)
Not only is zinc an essential mineral vital for proper immune function, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties to boot. As previously mentioned, acne is an inflammatory condition of the skin. Thus, any nutrients that will help to soothe that inflammation are invaluable in the treatment of acne. It may also diminish problematic yeast overgrowth that contributed to acne. Zinc’s wound healing properties are also crucial for healing breakouts.
Studies in the 1970s first observed that patients with acne had significantly lower levels of zinc that controls. Zinc as a single product, as well as combination treatment paired with other therapies, has proven to be efficacious in improving acne lesions. As acne supplements, zinc can be incredibly effective. You can access the studies here.
Zinc deficiency can be caused by inadequate intake, but also due to excessive loss or poor absorption, and certain chronic illnesses can also lead to its deficiency. Those who avoid animal food sources are also more prone to zinc deficiency. Vegetarians or vegans who mainly obtain their protein sources from legumes, beans, nuts, wholegrains and soy typically have trouble. This is due to the phytates that inhibit zinc absorption.
Zinc Sources
Great food sources of zinc include oysters, red meat, eggs and poultry. However if you are concerned that your dietary zinc intake is low, or that you are a poor absorber, you may wish to supplement with zinc.
Certain zinc compounds are more bioavailable than others and will thus have a greater impact on your skin. Zinc acetate, zinc orotate, zinc methionine, zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate are all options that have been studied, however there is some conflicting opinions as to the best form. I personally prefer zinc picolinate for its bioavailability.
This is the exact zinc I use
Vitamin D
(but pay attention to the form of vitamin D)
It is no coincidence that my most severe acne flare up coincided with the only time I had ever been vitamin D deficient in my life. Before moving to the UK I had never experienced vitamin D deficiency, nor did I ever have to supplement with vitamin D, because I grew up in a relatively sunny place.
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that is responsible for regulating thousands of functions in the body. It has antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties that are critical for addressing the causes of acne. Inadequate levels of vitamin D are strongly linked to acne prevalence.
A daily dose of sunshine will of course be the best source of vitamin D. Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, beef liver, full fat dairy and sardines. Vitamin D is fat soluble so pair with a source of fat, in order to fully obtain its benefits. If you are concerned that you are not getting sufficient vitamin D through diet or adequate sun exposure, you may wish to consider supplementing with vitamin D.
Not all vitamin D is created equal
Look out for vitamin D3 supplements as they are the form of vitamin D that will be most beneficial. Vegans in particular will struggle to meet their vitamin D requirements. The vegan diet is naturally far lower in bioavailable vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 from mushrooms and other vegan sources is typically more poorly absorbed.
These are my favourite vitamin D supplements that I have used for years and have not struggled with low vitamin D since. It is from a reputable brand and is very inexpensive for the amount you are getting.
If you are vegan, I would suggest this Vegan Vitamin D3 
Probiotics
The mistake I made, and what my doctors failed to share with me is that, in the attempt to remove the acne-causing bacteria with antibiotics, I was also removing good bacteria. The antibiotics I had been prescribed indefinitely by my physician had set off an atomic bomb in my digestive system. It wiped out every trace of flora.
In order to healthfully thrive, your body has to maintain a balance between both good bacteria, and bad bacteria. Your body works in equilibrium, and allowing one thing to overpower another will unquestionably result in imbalances and hence consequences.
Despite what we are led to believe, not all bacteria are bad. Even the dreaded E. coli has plenty of harmless strains. Its use in research is responsible for a number of scientific breakthroughs. In fact, our body comprises more bacterial cells than human cells! Maintaining a fine balance between both beneficial and harmful flora is crucial for optimal health.
The Fine Balance of Bacteria
The whole premise of antibiotics for acne is that it targets bacteria that lead to acne. Essentially, the proliferation of this “bad” acne-causing bacteria leads to acne and breakouts. However, in the process it wipes out all other harmless bacteria responsible for millions of other functions within the body. This means it is critical to re-inoculate the body with “good” bacteria, or probiotics. We must tip the scale back in favour of the “good” bacteria and stop any “bad” bacteria overgrowth again. It is all about balance; even too much “good” bacteria can be a problem.
Probiotics and the microbiome is a topic I feel very strongly about, so I will be writing an entirely separate blog post on everything you need to know about probiotics. There are all sorts of strains and different classes of probiotics you should look out for. In the meantime, if you have acne and are (or are not) on antibiotics, I urge you to reach for some probiotics.
Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics, as are yoghurt, kefir, and kombucha. You may also wish to try a probiotic supplement. This is the high quality probiotic I use and trust. I find this probiotic works for me best and is extremely effective.
Treat the Cause
In “part 2” post, I will address a number of other acne supplements that are also highly effective. Depending on the cause of your acne, the acne supplements you respond to and your own individual treatment options will vary. You may have to address hormonal imbalances if that is the cause of your acne, or yeast overgrowth. Every case is individual. However, everyone will benefit from the supplements mentioned in this post regardless of the cause of your acne.
I hope this post on acne supplements was informative. I hope it helped get your wheels turning on acne supplements and the many options you have for treating the cause of your breakouts – not just the symptoms.
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For more skincare information, check out these posts:
Top 5 Skincare Ingredients to Get Rid of Acne
How to Eliminate Blackheads for Good
The Complete Guide to Salicylic Acid for Skin
9 Things to Consider Before You Start A New Skincare Routine
Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,
Shannon xo
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